No housing relief for KwaDukuza’s flood victims [Watch]

Residents placed in KwaDukuza halls as an interim emergency measure after they became displaced during the April floods, are still living in destitute conditions.

Told they would be accommodated in the halls until their temporary homes were built, they continue to live in limbo as they claim nobody provides them with regular feedback.

The Courier visited Lindelani and Stanger Manor community halls last week to assess the living conditions.

In the halls, each family had a spot where they sleep on the floor next to each other. There are no separation blinds for privacy.

What used to be the stage is now the food storage space for groceries and a cell phone charging station.

On the floor next to the stage steps are several two-plate stoves, presumably where everyone take turns cooking for their families.

Children are everywhere and one can only wonder how the school pupils manage to study in these circumstances.

The Lindelani hall houses 10 families with at least 37 children, including a one-month-old baby.

Khanyisile Majola (63) has been staying in the hall with her daughter and two grandchildren.

“We initially received food vouchers every month, but this stopped since June. All I wish is to get a temporary home so that we can at least have privacy and see how we can rebuild our home,” said Majola.

At the Stanger Manor hall, Zodwa Sithole said because the majority were not working, fights often occurred regarding money to buy food.

“I cannot remember when last we received food vouchers,” she said.

KwaDukuza municipality spokesperson Sipho Mkhize said 66 households were still living at eight care centres.

“We have since closed three mass care centres at the Mbozamo Community Hall and Mbozamo Créche (ward 18) and ward 11’s Thandanani Hall.

“There are 219 completed temporary homes constructed, excluding nine donated park homes, but these are not yet connected to services such as water, sewerage and electricity to allow occupation,” he said.

The KZN Human Settlements department had since made R8-million available for this, but he did not say when work would be completed.

Ward six Cllr Tammy Colley said it was completely unacceptable that residents had to live in halls “with little consideration for their dignity and wellbeing”.

“The various government departments tasked with restoring dignity to those who have been so drastically affected by the floods do not seem to care that these are the conditions that those who have lost their homes must endure,” said Colley.

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